Women in Leadership in Higher Education: A Look at Leadership Styles.

摘要

Although there is an increase in women obtaining leadership roles in higher education, it is important to examine the number of women who have been able to successfully obtain academic and non-academic vice president roles in higher education, in both public and private colleges and universities, to examine what possible leadership characteristics or attributes they possess. This mixed method research examined how women in vice president roles at a higher education institution were able to break through the glass ceiling to obtain a senior leadership role, to identify whether their leadership styles had led to their success and advancement in higher education, and to take an in depth look into their leadership characteristics to see if they are parallel with one another. Data was collected from sixty-six female vice presidents from across the United States using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants that completed the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. Survey results revealed that female vice presidents believe that they possess a collaborative and transformational leadership style. The findings from the surveys supported the data that was revealed during the semi-structured interviews. The interviews also revealed that female vice presidents in higher education expect other female leaders to also possess a collaborative and transformational leadership style similar to their own.;Keywords: Women, Leadership, Higher Education, Women Academic Leaders, Academic Leadership, Leadership Development, Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire.